Flat bed duplicating machine



Sept 18, I1956 A. J. WRIGHT ETAL 2,763,205

FLAT BED DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1952 QQM -N 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 60g, 0N 7: PSENLU/VO Sept. 18, 1956 A. J. WRIGHT Er Ax. 2,763,205

FLAT BED DUPLICATING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1952 Sept- 18, 1956 A. J. WRIGHT ETAL 2,763,205

FLAT BED DUPLICATING MACHINE I Filed Jan. 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'www United States Patent FLAT BED DUPLIMCATNG MACHINE Ansel J. Wright and Gordon T. Rosenlund, Minneapolis,

ll/Iinn., assignors to Master Addresser Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a partnership Application January 5, 1952, Serial No. 265,124

6 Claims. (Cl. ll-133) Our present invention relates to machines for duplicating, on an impression sheet of paper or the like, matter printed in reverse with copying ink on a master sheet. More particularly, our invention relates to duplicating machines of the variety commonly referred to in the art as spirit duplicators, and which function as follows: The matter to be duplicated is iirst printed in reverse on a master sheet with copying ink, which is soluble in a highly volatile solvent liquid, usually an alcoholic solution referred to in the trade as spirit ink solvent. This reversely printed master sheet is placed on the be'd of the machine, which machine is arranged to feed a succession of clear impression sheets into intimate face to face contact with the reversely printed master sheet. Immediately preceding the delivery of the clear impression sheets to the reversely printed master sheet, the said clear impression sheets are moistened by the machine with the said highly volatile ink solvent. While these impression sheets are still in a moistened condition, they are brought into intimate face to face contact with the reversely printed master sheet and under suticient pressure to dissolve the amount of copying ink out of the master sheet necessary to produce positive copies of the printed matter on the impression sheets.

Duplicating machines, generally, may be divided into two classes which are as follows, to wit:

(A) The so-called rotary drum or rotary bed machines wherein the reversely-printed matter to be duplicated is placed on the peripheral bed surface of a rotary drum or bed; and

(B) The so-called flat bed-type of machine which involves a at, usually stationary, bed whereon the reversely-printed matter is retained during the copying or duplicating operation.

While some phases of the instant invention relate to spirit duplicating machines, generally, other phases thereof relate particularly to the so-called fiat bed-type of machines, briey described under (B) above.

Some or the important objectives of the instant invention are simplication of structure, improved elliciency with respect to the quality of the work, simplification of operation and maintenance, extended life and a reduction in overall dimensions of the machine.

The above and still further objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from the following detailed speciiication, appended claims, and attached drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters indi' cate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view, with some parts broken away and some parts shown in section, of a preferred form of duplicating machine, built in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the machine of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view sectioned on the line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to the right-hand or rear-end portion of Fig. 3 and illustrating two positions of the master sheet anchoring toggle mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View in side elevation closely corresponding to Fig. 2, with some parts broken away, showing a slightly modied structural arrangement for applying pressure between the impression sheet and master sheet and between the impression sheet and moistening roller; and

Fig. 7 is a view closely corresponding to Fig. 6 but illustrating a somewhat different method of mounting the pressure roller.

Description, Figs. J through 5 The machine illustrated represents a commercial embodiment of the invention and comprises a rectangular pan-like bed or base frame indicated as an entirety by 1 and provided with an upstanding front ange 2, an upstanding rear flange 3, upstanding and laterally-spaced parallel marginal guide llanges 4, the latter of which are inturned at their upper portions to define with the bottom of the base frame 1 opposed longitudinal guide channels 5. By reference to Figs. l, 2 and 3, it will be noted that the channel-defining flanges 4 extend to the front flanges 2 but terminate short of the rear lianges 3 to provide entrance openings 5. By reference particularly to Figs. l, 3 and 5, it will be seen that the llat bottom 7 of the bed frame 1 is provided with an upstanding lixed rectangular bed plate the longitudinal marginal edges of which are inwardly spaced from, but are parallel to, the guide channel-forming flanges 4. This upstanding bed plate S, which is preferably of fiberboard or the like, is securely anchored on the lat bottom 9 of the bed frame 1 by rivets or the like 10 and 11 and an anchoring ange 12 that may be assumed to be secured to the flat bottom 9 of the bed frame by spot welding or the like as at 13. Actually, in the preferred arrangement illustrated, the ixed `bed plate comprises the main section of an entire bed plate further comprising a movable or auxiliary rear section 14 that serves as part of a mechanism for releasably anchoring a reversely printed paper master sheet 15 to the bed plate 8.

By reference particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, it will be Seen that the front edge of the auxiliary base plate section 14 normally has snug abutting engagement with the adjacent rear edge of the main base plate section 8. Also, by reference particularly to these Figures 3 and 5, it will be noted that the main base plate section 8 is undercut at 16 to receive a forwardly-projecting lip 17 of the auxiliary section 14, whereby to provide for tongue and groove interlocking engagement between the base plate sections 8 and 14, when the latter is in its operative position, shown by full lines in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.

By further reference particularly to Figs. l, 3 and 5, it will be seen that the auxiliary base plate section 14 comprises one link of a toggle master sheet anchoring device further comprising a crank-like toggle link 18 having its opposite ends pivotally mounted on the rear ange 3 of the base plate 1 at 19 and 20, and its throw 21 pivotally connected to the rear end portion of the auxiliary base plate section or front toggle link 14 by a journalling strap 22. Preferably, andas illustrated, the common axis of the pivots 19 and 20 isy located slightly above the horizontal plane of the axis of the pivot point of the rear toggle link 1S to the front toggle link or base plate section 14, so that the toggle joint will be slightly beyond dead center when in its operative position. To anchor a paper master sheet with relation to the bed plate 8, the toggle linkage described is moved to its upper inoperative position shown by dotted lines in Fig. is properly positioned on the base plate 8 with its rear end overlapping the space normally occupied by the auxiliary base plate section or front toggle link 14, whereupon the toggle linkage, including elements 18 and 14, is forcibly moved to its lower operative position, shown by full lines in the drawings. This arrangement has been found to provide a very efficient and very quickly and easily operated means for detachably anchoring master sheets to the bed and has the further advantage of extending the base plate 8 rearwardly beyond the rear end of the master sheet for the purpose of providing a satisfactory approach to the master sheet for the pressure roller, indicated by 23. To aid in operating the toggle linkage, the front link or plate section 14 is provided at its opposite sides with lifting anges 14.

The pressure roller 23 is carried by a head frame indicated as an entirety by 24 and comprising laterallyspaced parallel side plates 25, a rigid transverse tie rod 26, and a rigid plate-like cross member 27 having an upturned front flange 28 and a downwardly and rearwardly turned rear ange 29. Preferably, and as illustrated in Figs. l through 5, the pressure roller is carried by the head frame through the medium of a laterallyspaced pair of arms or levers 30 forming part of a pressure-applying handle mechanism which further comprises a cylindrical hand-grip 3l extending between and rigidly connecting the upper ends of the arms or levers 30. The pressure roller 23, which is preferably of rm but nevertheless resilient material, such as rubber or synthetic rubber, is mounted and journalled between the lower ends of the arms or levers 3G. In the preferred arrangement, the resilient pressure roller 23 is molded on a metallic axle shaft or core 32 having its opposite ends projected beyond the ends of the resilient pressure roller 23 and journalled in suitable bearing apertures in the lower end portions of the laterally opposite arms or levers 30. The

the head frame 24, and, in the preferred arrangement illustrated in Figs. l through 5, the hand-grip equipped arms or levers 30 extend diagonally upwardly and rearwardly therefrom and are each intermediately pivoted to an opposite side plate 25 of the head frame 24 at 33. By reference particularly to Fig. l, it will be seen that the pressure roller 23 had a length somewhat greater than the width of the bed plate 8 and projects beyond the laterally-spaced longitudinal marginal edges of the base plate 3. By further reference to Fig. l, it will be seen that the side plates 25 of the head frame 24 work in closely spaced parallel relation to the parallel inner edges of the guide channel-forming flanges 4, so as to be guided by the latter for straight-line forward and rearward travellling movements over the bed plate.

In use, the pressure roller 23 bears upon the worksupporting upper surface of the bed plate 8 through the medium of the inked master sheet 15 and a paper impression sheet 24, and also bears against an equally long rigid moistening roller 3S located forwardly of and extended in parallel relation to the pressure roller 23. This rigid pressure roller 3S has trunnion-acting end portions 36 (see Fig. l) journalled in bearing bushings 37 in the opposite head frame side plates 25. The pressure roller 23 normally bears against this moistening roller 35, through the medium of the impression paper 34, and is so located with respect to the moistening roller 35 that the lower front portions thereof lare disposed between the moistening roller 35 and the upper surfaces of the bed plate 8 and master sheet 15. Otherwise stated, the pressure roller 23, which carries the rear end portion Of the head frame 24, is pivotally mounted on the frame 24 for forward and upward arcuate movements about the axis of pivots 33, and the moistening roller 35 is so orientated with respect to the pressure roller 23 that it will intercept the pressure roller 23 and limit arcuate forward and upward movements thereof, as shown best, for example, in

5, the master sheet pressure roller 23 is located adjacent the rear portion of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3. Now by reference to Figs. 1 and 4, it will be seen that the head frame 24, which is supported and carried at its rear end portion by the pressure roller 23, is provided at its front end portion with laterally-projecting trunnions 38, which work in opposite bed frame guide channels 5 and engage the upper and lower surfaces thereof through the medium of rollers 39 journalled thereon. With this arrangement, it will be seen, by reference particularly to Fig. 3, that the head frame 24 is thusly mounted for travelling movements over the bed plate 8 through the medium of pressure roller 23 and guide rollers 39 and is mounted for swinging movements with respect to the bed structure about the common axis of trunnions 38. Now by further reference particularly to Fig. 3, it will be seen that downward pressure applied through the hand grip 31 produces the following unique dual functions, to wit:

(A) rl`he pressing of the impression sheets 34 into firm face to face ink transfer contact with the inked master sheet 15, as a result of pressure exerted thereon between the pressure roller 23 and the bed plate 8; and

(B) The production of a squeezing pressure of the impression sheet 34 against the moistening roller 35 by the pressure roller 23.

The structure producing this dual function is unique and has important advantages including the following, to wit:

l. The achievement of the above-noted dual function by two rollers, namely, the rollers 35 and 23, in place of three or more rollers conventionally used to achieve the same broad objective; and

2. The dividing of the total downward pressure applied through the hand grip 31 of arms or levers 30, in definite predetermined ratio, between the pressure roller 23 and bed plate 8, on one hand, and between the pressure roller 23 and moistening roller 35 on the other hand. In this connection, it will be noted, by reference to Fig. 3, that this ratio of pressures is determined by several factors, including the radial angular location of the pivot axis 33 with respect to the axis of pressure roller 23, when the latter is in its operative position shown, the angular location of hand grip 31 with respect to the said axis of pressure roller 23, and the angular location of moistening roller 35 with respect to the normal position of roller 23.

For the purpose of guiding and feeding clear impression sheets 34 into the space between the pressure roller 23 and moistening roller 35, we provide a hopper-like paper guide comprising spaced transversely extending front and rear wall portions 40 and 41, respectively, and connecting side wall portions 42, the latter of which have downwardly extending portions 43 that are pivoted at 44 to opposite head frame side plates 25 (see particularly Fig. 3). The rear wall 4l of this pivoted paper guide is relatively short, whereas the front wall 40 thereof, which provides the main support for the sheets, has relatively much greater vertical length and is provided adjacent Aits opposite laterally-spaced edges with rearwardly turned guide flanges 45 that are adapted to engage opposite edges of impression sheets 34. The paper guide described is shown in its normal operative position by full lines in In this operative position, the front wall 40 extends upwardly and forwardly nearly to the plane of the top of the hand grip 3l. In Fig. 2, the paper guide is shown by dotted lines as being moved pivotally to its rearward inoperative position substantially parallel to and closely adjacent the arms or levers 30. This is important because in practice the entire device is stored within a very compact storage case or housing 46 for which the bed frame structure l. serves as the bottom.

This carrying case closure 46, shown only fragmentarily in Fig. 2, does not have sufhcient height to receive the head frame 24 and associated elements when the head frame is in its normal operated position illustrated. Hence, for storage or transportation purposes, the entire head frame Z4 is detached from the bed frame structure,

by rearwardly removing the rollers 39 from the channels through entrance apertures or passages 6, and is thereafter replaced on the bed plate 8 in a rearwardly tipped position resting upon the pressure roller 23 and the hand grip 3l. if the head frame 24 is thus positioned on the bed plate with the paper guide in its normal operative the top edge of its front wall 4t? there will engage the top of the carrying case or closure 46 and prevent assembly thereof on the bed frame structure. However, when the paper guide is moved pivotally to its inoperative dotted line position of Fig. 2, it no longer interferes with application of the carrying case or closure 46. The means for detachably securing the carrying case or closure 46 to the bottom-acting bed structure is not herein illustrated, but may be assumed to be of conventional character.

For the purpose of uniformly .applying a thin film of ink solvent liquid to the surface of the moistening roller 35, for transfer therefrom to the impression sheets 34, we provide a channel-shaped fluid reservoir 47, a wick 48 and a channel-shaped pressure foot 49. The reservoir 47 is located forwardly of the moistening roller 35 and is securely anchored to the upper face of the frame cross member 27. The reservoir 47 is normally partially filled with a suitable highly volatile ink solvent liquid and extends parallel to and is of a length approximately equal to that of the moistening roller 35. The wick 48 is also of a width approximately equal to that of the moistening roller 35, in a direction transversely of the machine, and has its front end portion seated in the reservoir 47 and its rear end portion overlying and in surface contact with the moistening roller 35. The inverted channelshaped pressure foot 49 extends substantially between the opposed head frame side plates 25, and overlies the moistening roller 35 and the portion of the wick 48 overlying the pressure roller. Now by reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the channel-shaped pressure foot 49 makes contact with the wick 4S at its forwardly and rearwardly-spaced parallel free edges, only, and thereby causes a portion of the wick .to conform to the arcuate contour of the moistening roller 35. The amount of pressure applied by the pressure foot 49 to the wick 48 and moistening roller 3S is adjustably controlled by a pair of laterally-spaced lock nut-equipped pressure screws Si?, which are threaded in the head frame cross bar 26 and engage the inverted channel-shaped pressure foot 49, as shown best in Fig. 3. By further reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the reservoir 47 is partially closed at its top by a cover plate 5l, which is pivoted to the opposed head frame side plates 25 at 52.

Particularly in the iiat bed-type of duplicator herein illustrated, it is highly desirable to lift the impression sheets away from the inked master sheet immediately following the application of pressure between these sheets by the pressure roller 23, in order to produce the cleanest possible copies and to prevent smudging. In accordance with the instant invention, this objective is very effectively achieved by a pair of stripper ngers 53, each mounted fast on an opposite head frame side plate 25 and projecting laterally inwardly thereof with their front portions underlying the pressure roller 23. By reference particularly to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the front portions of the stripper fingers 53, which underlie the roller 23, are arcuate `and are generally concentric to the axis of pressure roller 23, when the latter is in its normal operative position. Of course, the radius of the arcuate front portions of the stripper iingers 53 is somewhat greater than that of the pressure roller 23 so that the said arcuate portions of the stripper fingers will underlie the sheets of impression paper 34 passing beneath the pressure roller 23 and will, in fact, work below the plane of the top of the bed plate 8 and master sheet 15, it being noted that the said pressure fingers 53 are located laterally outwardly of opposite edges of the bed plate 8.

The rear portions of the stripper fingers 53 extend diagonally upwardly and rearwardly from the said arcuate front portions thereof, as shown best in Fig. 3. In cases where the master sheet is materially wider than the bed plate S, the stripper fingers 33 will override and press downwardly on the marginal edge portions of the master sheet l5, but this produces no adverse effect. By reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the stripper ngers 53 engage the impression sheets immediately after they have been acted upon by the pressure roller 23 and direct the same upwardly and away from the surface of the master sheet l5.

SUMMARY OF OPERATION First, and with the head frame 24 removed or positioned at the front end of the bed plate 8, a master sheet 15 having the desired matter reversely printed thereon with copying ink, is positioned on bed plate 8 and anchored in position through the toggle anchoring mechanism described, all as shown best in Fig. 3. Next, the head frame is placed in operative position over the master sheet, as sho-wn generally in Fig. 3, but with the head frame positioned at the rear end of the bed structure with the pressure roller 23 thereof disposed on the front toggle link or bed plate extension 14. Now a sufficient quantity of ink solvent liquid is injected into the reservoir 47 to soak up the wick 48 and provide a reserve, thereby placing the machine in condition for the production of a series or run of duplicates. With the head frame 24 still positioned with the pressure roller 23 on the bed plate extension 14, a clear sheet of impression paper is inserted into the hopper-like paper guide with its lower edge extending through the space between the front and rear plates 40 and 4l respectively of the paper guide and against the adjacent portions of the moistening roller 35 and pressure roller 23. The operator now grasps the hand grip 3i, and applies thereto a compound downward and forward pressure causing the head frame 24 to move forwardly over the bed plate S and inked master sheet 15, and also producing the before-noted pressure between the pressure roller 23 and bed plate S and between the pressure roller 23 and moistening roller 35. The pressure roller 23 will be started in rotation, first by engagement with the bed plate extension 14 and will be maintained in rotation throughout the further forward movement by frictional engagement with the master sheet 15. During the initial part of this forward movement the moistening roller 3S will be frictionally driven from the roller 23 by direct engagement therewith until the clear impression sheet 34 becomes interposed between the rollers 23 and 35, after which, the roller 3S will be driven from the pressure roller 23 through the interposed impression sheet 34, which will be progressively fed between the rollers 35 and 23 during the balance of the forward travel of the head frame 24. During the forward stroke of the head frame, the clear impression paper will be continuously and uniformly moistened with ink solvent by contact with the moistening roller 3S and will remain sufficiently moistened with solvent during its travel under the pressure roller 23 to dissolve sufficient ink off of the reverselyprinted master sheet 15 to produce a positive copy on the impression sheet of the reversely-printed matter on the master sheet. The printed impression sheets will be discharged from beneath the pressure roller 23 at the completion of each forward stroke of the head frame and should be removed Without allowing the same to again come in contact with the reversely-printed master sheet. At the completion of each forward stroke of the head frame, the said head frame 24 is returned to its starting position at the rear of the machine with the roller 23 seated on the bed plate extension 14, thereby placing the machine in condition for a repeat operation. It will, of course, be understood that many copies or duplicates may be made in the manner described, from a single master sheet.

The amount of ink absorbed by the moistened impression sheets out of the reversely-printed master sheet is controlled to a large extent by the amount of downward pressure applied by the operator throughout the hand grip 3l. Hence, if darker copies are desired, the operator will exert additional downward pressure on the hand grip 31, whereas if lighter copies are desired, these can be obtained by exerting less downward pressure on the hand grip 31. The amount of ink transferred from the master sheet to the impression sheets is dependent both upon the amount of pressure applied between the impression sheets and moistening roller and by the amount of pressure applied between the impression sheets 34 and master sheet 15. As previously indicated, the pressure at both of these places in simultaneously varied by variation of downward pressure on the hand grip 31 and is distributed between such places in definite predetermined ratio.

Description F ig. 6

In Fig. 6, a somewhat modified structure is illustrated wherein the pressure roller 23 is journalled on short arms 34.) and the hand grip 31 is mounted on other arms, indicated by 54 and each intregally formed with, or rigid with, an opposite side plate of head frame 24. The operation of the device of Fig. 6 will be substantially as described in conection with Figs. l through 5.

Description F ig. 7

In Fig. 7, we illustrate a still further modification, wherein the hand grip 31 is mounted on arms S4- extending from the side plates 25 in the manner of Fig. 6, but wherein the reduced diameter end portions of the spindle or axle 32 of pressure roller 23 are journalled in diagonallydisposed slots 55 in the opposite head frame side plates 25 for movements toward and from the moistening roller 3S. By reference to Fig. 7, it will be apparent that here again downward pressure applied on the hand grip 3l will produce a downward pressure on the pressure roller 23 in the direction of the bed plate 8 and will also cause the pressure roller 23 to exert a pressure against the moistening roller 35.

Our invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the objectives set forth; and while we have shown a commercial embodiment of our improved device, it will be understood that the same is capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

What we claim is:

l. In a duplicating machine, structure defining a bed having a work surface adapted to support an inked master sheet, a head frame adjacent the bed, means mounting and guiding the head frame for relative traveling movements over the bed work surface and for simultaneous movements with respect to the bed about an axis located adjacent one end portion thereof and extending transversely of the direction of relative movement between the work-supporting surface of the bed and the head frame, a. moistening roller located in parallel spaced relation to the pivot axis of the head and rotatively mounted therein on an axis which is fixed with respect to the head frame. a pressure roller in the head frame and extending over the bed in parallel relation to the moistening roller, said pressure roller having a portion located between the worksupporting surface of the bed and the moisteninfy roller, means mounting and guiding the pressure roller in the head frame for rotary movements about its own axis and for bodily movements toward and from the moistening roller in a direction angularly with respect to the worksupporting surface of the bed, and means for applying an ink solvent liquid to the moistening roller, and a handle connected to the head frame for imparting said swinging 8 and traveling motion thereto, pivotal swinging movements of the head frame in the direction of the bed causing the moistening roller to press against the pressure roller and causing the latter to press against the work-supporting surface of the bed.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the bed is stationary and has a fiat work-supporting surface; and in which the head frame is movable over the work-supporting surface of the bed; and in which the head frame mounting means comprises opposed parallel marginal guide channels defined by structure rigid with the fiat bed and located adjacent opposite edges of the work-supporting surface of the bed, and oppositely projecting trunnions carried by the head frame and working slidably and pivotally in opposite of said guide channels.

3. The structure defined in claim l 'in which the said pressure roller mounting means comprises guideways in opposite side portions of the head frame, which are located rearwardly of the moistening rollers and which extend in a direction angularly with respect to the work supporting surface of the bed, and roller mounting elements adjacent opposite ends of the pressure roller and slidably mounted in the said opposite guideways for movements toward and from the moistening roller.

4. In a duplicating machine, structure defining a bed having a work surface adapted to support an inked master sheet, a head frame adjacent the bed, means mounting and guiding the head frame for relative traveling movements over the bed work surface and for simultaneous swinging movements with respect to the bed about an axis located adjacent one end portion of the head frame and extending transversely of the direction of relative movement between the work-supporting surface of the bed and the head frame, a moistening roller located in parallel spaced relation to the pivot axis of the head and rotatively mounted therein on an axis which is fixed with respect to the head frame, a pressure roller in the head frame and extending over the bed in parallel relation to the moistening roller, said pressure roller having a portion located between the work-supporting surface of the bed and the moistening roller, means mounting and guiding the pressure roller in the head frame for rotary movements about its own axis and for bodily movements toward and away from the moistening roller in a direction angularly with respect to the work-supporting surface of the bed, said means comprising arms pivotally mounted at the opposite side portions of the head frame, said pressure roller being journalled between Vsaid arms in spaced relation to the pivotal mounting thereof to the head frame, means for applying an ink solvent liquid to the moistening roller, and a handle connected to the head frame for imparting said swinging and traveling movement thereto, pivotal swinging movement of the head frame in the direction of the bed, causing the moistening roller to press against the pressure roller and causing the latter to press against the work-supporting surface of the bed.

5. In a duplicating machine, a structure defining a bed having a work surface adapted to support an inked master sheet, a head frame adjacent the bed, means mounting and guiding the head frame for relative traveling movements over the bed work surface and for simultaneous swinging movements with respect to the bed about an axis located adjacent one end portion of the head frame and extending transversely of the direction of relative move- `ment between the work-supporting surface of the bed and the head frame, a moistening roller located in parallel spaced relation to the pivot axis of the head and rotatively mounted therein on an axis which is fixed with respect to the head frame, a pressure roller in the head frame and extending over the bed in parallel relation to the moistening roller, said pressure roller having a portion located between the Work-supporting surface of the bed and the moistening roller, means mounting and guiding the pressure roller in the head frame for rotary movement about its own axis and for bodily movements 4tovvrcl and away from the moistening roller in a direction angularly with respect to the work-supporting surface of the bed, said pressure roller mounting means comprising a pair of arms intermediately pivoted to the head frame on an axis located outwardly and rearwardly of the axis of the pressure roller, the pressure roller being carried by the inner end portions ot' said arms and being journalled with respect thereto, handle means connecting the outer end portions of said arms, and means for applying an ink solvent liquid to the moistening roller, handle imparted pivotal swinging movements of the head frame in the direction of the bed causing the moistening roller to press against the pressure roller and causing the latter to press against the work-supporting surface of the bed.

6. In a duplicating machine, structure defining a bed having a work surface adapted to support an inked master sheet and an impression sheet, a moistening roller journaled adjacent the bed and extending in spaced parallel relation to the work supporting surface thereof, a pressure roller journaled adjacent the bed on an axis extending transversely thereof and parallel to the axis of the moistening roller, said pressure roller bearing against the work supporting surface of the bed through the medium of an interposed master sheet, and said moistening roller bearing aaginst the pressure roller through the medium of an interposed impression sheet, one of the rollers being bodily movable toward and away from the other thereof in direction angularly with respect to said work-supporting surface, means for applying ink solvent liquid to the moistening roller, said bodily movable roller being yieldably biased toward the other roller and the pressure roller against the bed, structure mounting and guiding the bodily movable roller for said movements toward and away from the other roller and both of said rollers for movements longitudinally relative to the work supporting surface ot the bed, and a handle connected to said last-mentioned structure for imparting said movements thereto.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,226,649 Flanigan May 22, 1917 1,951,068 Shepherd Mar. 13, 1934 1,965,827 Duncan July 10, 1934 1,967,694 Weide July 24, 1934 1,968,738 Braam July 31, 1934 1,996,578 Jagger Apr. 2, 1935 2,026,089 Hernlund Dec. 31, 1935 2,090,773 Wolfson Aug. 24, 1937 2,096,818 Marchev Oct. 26, 1937 2,161,330 Wolfson June 6, 1939 2,360,648 Copeland et al. Oct. 17, 1944 2.398,888 Ford Apr. 23, 1946 

